Southern Oregon's Lofstedt claims weekly national honor

ASHLAND — Southern Oregon University's top-ranked 125-pounder, Mitchell Lofstedt, was named the NAIA national wrestler of the week for the second time in three weeks after another dominant showing.

ASHLAND — Southern Oregon University's top-ranked 125-pounder, Mitchell Lofstedt, was named the NAIA national wrestler of the week for the second time in three weeks after another dominant showing.

Lofstedt improved his season record to 26-1 with five victories in three days last week, including three consecutive wins against NCAA Division I opponents to win his division at the California Collegiate Open on Saturday.

Lofstedt opened the week with a technical fall over Simpson's (Calif.) Hayden Zimmerman on Jan. 31, then knocked off then-No. 15 Drake Medieros of Menlo (Calif.), 9-2, on Feb. 1. The wins improved his season record against NAIA opponents to 10-0.

Lofstedt wrapped up the week with three wins at the California Collegiate Open against Kyle Anderson of Cal State Bakersfield, Britain Longmire of Cal Poly and top-seeded Patrick Rollins of Oregon State.

He has three individual titles this season with previous victories coming at the Southern Oregon Open and the Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) Mile High Open.

A two-time NAIA national champion, Lofstedt will compete at Southern Oregon's Bob Riehm Arena for the final time this weekend as the Raiders will host Simpson at 7 tonight and Pacific at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

HOLMES HONORED — Tyrone Holmes, a freshman defensive end, was one of 52 University of Montana athletes and among 18 football players to make the 2012 Fall Academic All-Big Sky Conference team.

Holmes is studying business administration.

He played in all 11 games for the Grizzlies (5-6), recording 24 total tackles. His five sacks and three quarterback hurries ranked third on the team.